Skype Sound Quality Problems

Skype is a Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, application for computers that lets you communicate via text chat, video and audio using an Internet connection. Because Skype is used entirely over an Internet connection, the quality and stability of its calls are equally susceptible to any issues that may negatively affect your Internet.

Microphone and Speaker Issues

The quality of your equipment, or that of the person you are talking to, can heavily influence the sound quality of the call. In most cases, nothing more than a decent microphone -- you don't need a fancy headset -- and a set of headphones work properly. If you're using a old microphone, something built into a laptop monitor or other old or cheap hardware, however, it can make the audio sound muffled or let in a lot of background noise. A good way to improve quality is to make sure you're in a quiet environment; don't turn on a fan or place your microphone next to your computer tower.

Internet Connection

Skype doesn't require a top-tier connection to work properly, but if you are on a slow connection or have a weak signal, Skype may lower the quality of the call in an attempt to keep it stable. If you're using a wireless connection, try to move somewhere closer to the signal broadcast point or attempt to boost the signal. If you're on dial-up or other slow connection, close other programs so you can conserve most of your bandwidth for your Skype call.

Distance Between Callers

The distance between you and the person you're talking to does not always affect call quality much, but it can influence it. If you are farther away, your data passes through more data centers and connection points before eventually reaching its destination. There is a greater chance that there is some weak point along the line that can influence call quality, even if both of your Internet connections are fast and stable.

Considerations

An important thing to remember is that for a call to be of good quality, any steps taken toward improving the connection or obtaining better equipment must be done on both ends. For example, if two users are on a Skype call, one with a stable, high-speed connection and the other with a slow and unreliable connection, the latter cancels out the former completely. To experience the best call quality, both users need to attempt to fix any problems on their ends.